Chapter 43: She’s Worthy Too

Chapter 43: She's Worthy Too

Noticing Su Youyue staring at him without uttering a word, Lu Cheng couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

Once upon a time, she had sought to enter their Lu family's threshold, thus she had always tried to please every member of their family. Now that their betrothal was annulled, what if she refused to compensate her for the loss?

Considering that the patrons at the gambling den were aware of the rift between the two families, they suddenly grew urgent in demanding their debts. It became imperative for Lu Cheng to make an appearance.

In any case, he didn't believe that this foolish woman no longer had any feelings for his elder brother. She must have just found out about Elder Brother having Wen Ge as a son and, in a fit of anger, instructed someone to throw feces at him. Once she cooled down in the next couple of days, she might well regret her actions and try to reconcile with Elder Brother.

Now that she's here, wouldn't she have to think of ways to win me over even more, so I can speak well of her to my elder brother?

"Hey, sis-in-law, it's me," Lu Cheng skulked over with a grin.

The moment Jin'er saw him, she scolded him in exasperation, "What are you doing here? Our Miss has already broken off the engagement with Lu Song. Do you still plan on freeloading off us?!"

Back then, Jin'er had never taken a liking to this Lu family's second young master, always behaving recklessly and gambling. Every time he came, it was to ask the Miss for money, no less than what Old Lady Lu demanded. That was tolerable, but sometimes he would deliberately flirt with the maids around the Miss...

She knew back then that the Miss had feelings for Lu Song, making Lu Cheng her future brother-in-law. That was why they had to endure his behavior silently. But not anymore!

Lu Cheng's brows knitted together as he retorted, "How dare a lowly maid like you interrupt when I'm speaking with your young miss?!"

Su Youyue's expression was icy cold. "Lu Cheng, when did it become your right to discipline my maid?"

The youth was taken aback. He hadn't expected Su Youyue to react this way. A hint of dissatisfaction crept into his heart, but for the sake of the money, he forced a smile. "Please forgive me, Sister-in-law. It's truly that your maid is being utterly disrespectful. I came here to bring you good news."

He repeatedly called her 'Sister-in-law', hoping to charm her into the same joyous state as before. However, she remained indifferent, leaving Lu Cheng with a nagging sense of unease.

Could it be that this fool really holds a grudge against Elder Brother because of Yun Niang and Wen Ge?

Hardly had he called out "sister-in-law" again when he felt an icy, menacing gaze sweep across him from the side.

This stare was cold and laced with hostility, making it impossible for Lu Cheng to overlook it. As he turned his head, he caught sight of Xie Yuan in his black attire, which immediately sent shivers down his spine.

The man seemed like a fierce predator lurking in the depths of a jungle, ready to strike fear into anyone who stumbled upon him unawares.

In the Lu family, only Lu Song, due to his engagement with Su Youyue, garnered some respect and managed to mingle within the elite circle. Lu Cheng, on the other hand, was both unambitious and reckless, thus never partaking in many noble gatherings. Consequently, he didn't recognize Xie Yuan.

" Sister-in-law, when did you get such a frightening bodyguard?" Lu Cheng complained.

Su Youyue scoffed, interrupting him directly, "Lu Cheng, open your dog eyes and see clearly who your sister-in-law is here. My engagement with your eldest brother has been called off. If you dare to utter another word, I'll make sure he rips your mouth apart!"

She cast a glance at Xie Yuan.

Lu Cheng stood before Xie Yuan, akin to a timid pup facing a fierce predator. It was evident to all that the slightest movement from Xie Yuan would send him crying for his mother.

Thus, when Su Youyue said she wanted Xie Yuan to teach him a lesson, Lu Cheng instinctively took two steps back in fear. However, a glint of coldness in Xie Yuan's eyes suddenly froze, and his demeanor seemed to have softened slightly compared to before.

Lu Cheng wore an expression of utter disbelief, unable to accept the stark contrast in Su Youyue's attitude toward him from before and now: "Sis-in-law..."

Observing Xie Yuan's suddenly icy stare, as if he was about to make a move, Lu Cheng swallowed hard and hastily corrected himself, "Miss Su, I mean, I've come to bring you good news. How can you have someone attack me?"

"Cut the crap and don't waste my time."

The sight of his demeanor annoyed Su Youyue. In her previous life, she had treated this younger brother-in-law with great kindness. She had cleaned up after him countless times, given him substantial sums of money, and even agreed to marry Xie Yuan at the urging of Elder Madam Lu to save him from prison.

If he had any conscience at all, he wouldn't have joined the Lu family in attempting to destroy her!

Lu Cheng's face turned as black as charcoal, a look of utter disgust. He never could have imagined before coming that without the engagement, Su Youyue would treat him as if he owed her tens of thousands of silver taels.

Though he had indeed taken thousands of taels from her, hadn't she given them willingly? How could that be considered a debt?

Recalling the reason for his visit, he held back his frustration and patiently continued, "Miss Su, I came to tell you that I've been persuading my brother on your behalf these past few days. I've told him that you're far superior to Yun Niang and urged him to reconsider his feelings. I think he's showing some regret, so I wanted to persuade him more...

"But unfortunately, little brother here is in debt and the creditor is hounding me. I truly don't have the time to persuade him further."

Upon hearing this, Jin'er stomped her foot in anger. "Pah! What is that concubine of your family? How dare she be compared with our Miss! In the end, all you want is money!"

In Jin'er's eyes, even if Yun Niang was Lu Song's cousin, as a concubine, she was nothing but an insignificant figure. To compare such a person with their own Miss was an insult to her!

Seeing her ruin his plans again, Lu Cheng was furious, but remembering Su Youyue's defense of Jin'er, he suppressed his anger. It was strange, why wasn't Qiao'er around? She usually spoke up for him when she was present.

Su Youyue found Lu Cheng's expression amusing. Back when she hadn't married into the Lu family, he would humbly beg for money in front of her. But after she became part of the family, he demanded money with an air of righteousness, as if she, as his sister-in-law, was stingy if she didn't provide it.

She hadn't expected that even after the cancellation of their engagement, Lu Cheng would still have the audacity to ask for money. Clearly, she had underestimated the thickness of his skin in her previous life.

"You owe money, what has that got to do with me? Who am I to your Lu family? Why should I concern myself with your affairs? What is Yun Niang? Why should I be compared with her? Are beggars on the street also worthy of being compared to me?"

Su Youyue leaned casually in her wheelchair, a mocking smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Beyond your Lu family, I, Su Youyue, remain the eldest miss of the Minister's residence. Without me, your Lu family is but a destitute and humble household. Lu Cheng, you might not be aware, but without my betrothal to your elder brother, Qin Siwei, the prime minister, would not spare a second glance at you as his future son-in-law. He'd likely call off the engagement within three days!"